Ever since Guillermo Del Toro dropped out of directing the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein's fantasy epic The Hobbit in May, the search for a new director has been a major focus of all aspects of the media. Studio heads, magazines, and of course the internet have been spewing out numerous names and possiblities ranging from Harry Potter's David Yates to District 9's Neill Blomkamp. However, one name that has been especially exciting to fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise is the rumor that Peter Jackson himself may be returning to Middle-Earth.

According to Deadline, Peter Jackson may in fact be directing The Hobbit. Apparently, MGM and Warner Bros. are in talks with the New Zealand director to lead the adaptations of both the classic fantasy: "He will shortly take the reins over from Guillermo del Toro, after Jackson extricates himself from other project obligations that caused Jackson and manager Ken Kamins to initially deny he would be the director...While Jackson's camp has been tight-lipped, I'm told that the case is being made to MGM's owners to loosen the purse strings and make the movies happen. The impetus for these talks is that Jackson will be the director of both of The Hobbit films, which will be shot back-to-back in his New Zealand backyard."